After nearly a year of licking wounds and playing defense in the face of the Trump administration’s consolidation of power, the Democratic Party is suddenly poised to regain some of the momentum lost in its 2024 electoral drubbing. In special elections around the country Tuesday night, Democratic candidates notched striking victories, toppling political dynasties and securing historic margins in races that many have taken as an encouraging sign for next year’s midterms. Still, as Republicans move to downplay last night’s blue wave, some Democrats are similarly hesitant to fully embrace their wins, fearful that highlighting progressive victories like that of New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani could stunt the party’s efforts to move toward an electoral center.

An end to Democrats’ ‘annus h

See Full Page